Made in Hawaii: Practical & Useful Gifts
Remember the episode of Boy Meets World when Cory’s dad bought his mom a trash compactor as a gift for their anniversary? She was not a happy camper until (spoiler alert!) he forked over a pearl necklace.
Island Wise
Potted Trees from Helemano Farms
Consider this: plants as gifts. They last for years and provide a multitude of benefits.
Sound Waves
Sing It, Sister
Sound Waves / When I think of Canadian imports to Hawaii, I think of extremely beautiful and talented women: Evangeline Lilly, Grace Park and now, Erin Smith, the energetic and incredibly sexy frontwoman of Maui-based The Throwdowns. She hails from Toronto but has spent the past eight years in Hawaii, winning awards on her own (Best Female Musician by Maui Time for four years in a row).
Makana’s Box
Since Wei Fang and Kina Mahi have spent more than a few years off-island, chasing degrees and careers, altogether realizing how homesick Hawaii can make you, they’ve created a remedy to rough Hawaiian withdrawals. Makana (in Hawaiian, gift)–a monthly subscription service of curated gift boxes–was founded because they want to share the natural wealth of our paradise by simultaneously supporting all the best that is Hawaiian-made.
Kama‘aina Causes
The Right to Read
Kama‘aina Causes / The first book I ever remember reading was Green Eggs and Ham. I don’t know where it came from or where it went–all that mattered at the time was that it was mine, and it fostered my love of not only literature, but of education.
Art
The Gift of Breath
Art / There’s something so incredibly mesmerizing about the glassblowing process. The slow turning of the glass over heat as air steadily fills the molten lump and transforms it into a piece of art is a captivating, almost therapeutic, experience to witness, but there aren’t very many well-known glass artists here on Oahu.
Black Weekend
AmEx, the Great and Patronizing
Black Weekend / It was a good week for credit card companies. A Trans-Union report was published last week saying Americans’ credit card debt and delinquency has risen over the previous quarter.
On the Wall
Carnival Knowledge
On the Wall / Illustrator Kris Goto lives not between the lines, but within them. Her contours follow the curves of a theme that wanders through phases, each connecting with its sequel.
Sound Waves
New Music
Sound Waves / Local music is more than slack key and native yodels. Here are three new releases showcasing our musicians’ boundless creativity.
IN HER WORDS
Melissa May White
IN HER WORDS / Melissa May White had a seed of an idea to water and grow our local fashion industry by creating within it an organization that supports and connects new talent with the larger fashion establishment. Through their Hawaii Fashion Incubator (Hifi), White and co-founder Toby Portner have proven an integral driving force behind the current fashion resurgence, leading up to a possible Hawaii Fashion Month, later to be heard more about in the coming months.
It Came From Japan
The Maids are Here
It Came From Japan / Walk down Harajuku and they’re everywhere: Frilly, leggy girls (or guys, in some parts of Japan) dressed in maid costumes, waiting to serve you tea, play games and give you massages. The service?
On Stage
Sparking Awareness
On Stage / SPARK, by Obie Award-winning writer Claridad Svich, is a play about three sisters embroiled in the aftermath of war, dealing with such heavy topics as what happens when soldiers come home, how we carry on and the importance of family strength. SPARK is being performed all over the U.S.
Excerpt from Do One Green Thing
Pest-Free, Locally
Excerpt from Do One Green Thing / Pesticides contaminate the soil and water, spread in the air, and kill birds, fish, amphibians and beneficial insects such as honeybees. Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers oversturate the soil and run off into waterways, causing increased proliferation of algae, which results in oxygen depletion, fish kills and oceanic dead zones.
One More Time
Final Show
One More Time / Good things don’t necessarily come in threes. Hall and Oates.
On The Table
Tastebud Trek
On The Table / The foodie community in Honolulu never seems to stop growing–just look at all the gastropubs, pop-ups, food trucks, block parties, farmers markets. This is not a bad thing.
Mālama ‘āina
Speak for the Trees
Mālama ‘āina / Arbor Day is on Friday, and on Saturday, in the Hawaiian Electric Company & Partners Arbor Day Tree Giveaway, fruit trees, palms, shrubs and native plants will be up for a free adoption. Not only an age-old tradition–Queen Liliuokalani is known to have planted royal palms on Arbor Day each year–planting trees also protects our environment by limiting the need for air conditioning.
The End?
Last Chance
The End? / Mish Mash, the sweet little year-and-a-half old vintage shop with an attitude that held a strong force on the frontlines in Chinatown with Otto Cake will, sadly, raise its vintage lamé surrender flag at the end of November. Store owner Nicole Franco says the reason for deciding to close amounts to “a combination of things .
Poetry
I Was Not Even Born When You Turned Into A Candy Dish
Poetry / And I knew then that you were good. And I took everything back down to the river in gratitude.
HW 2nd Annual Literary Contest
Hello, procrastinating writers! Due to an overwhelming response, we’ve extended the deadline for contest submissions to Nov.
Made in Hawai’i
This Road Leads to Roam
Made in Hawai’i / There’s an ice cream truck on the North Shore that, instead of selling manapua and candy, is now driven around the Island by pretty women who sell one of a kind, hand-made surf culture-inspired art and clothes. Called ROAM Hawai’i, this vagabond collective–Marissa Eveland, Melissa Jasniy, Cassandra Rull and founder Brooke Dombroski–are doing high fashion their own way.
On the Wall
The Blur of Conceptual Art
On the Wall / The term “conceptual art” may be hard to comprehend. Isn’t all art drawn from a concept?
IN HER WORDS
Maile Meyer
IN HER WORDS / The owner of Native Books/Na Mea Hawai’i, who is also involved in ii gallery in Kaka’ako, the Lana Lane Artists’ Studios and the Maoli Art in Real Time (MAiRT) movement, Maile Meyer works to make sure Hawaiian and local perspectives are represented. Meyer sat down with us to share her ideas in the first installment of an ongoing series that features cultural leaders in their own words.
Made in Hawai’i
Man Bling
Made in Hawai’i / From the labradoodle to the black and tan, juxtapositions of extremes are just magically pleasing. Jewelry by Justine draws from this very enigma.
Art Wheels
Adair Hill, owner and creator of Art Truck Hawaii, believes art should be accessible and affordable. That’s why he started Big Banyan, a website that sells unique local, global and student artwork.
On Stage and Online
Everyone’s a Critic!
On Stage and Online / Ever see a play, musical or performance and either liked or disliked it so much you wanted to share your thoughts–in writing people would actually see? Your moment has arrived.
This week
Honolulu Confidential
For this year’s Food + Drink issue, we compiled 100-plus memories of the fantastic bites we’ve taken, the culinary experiences we’ve undergone and other tasteful moments of absolutely loving what Hawaii’s food scene has to offer. The result is a mixed plate of the Weekly ‘ohana’s favorite dishes, libations, produce, places and some lesser-known joys.
Favorite Dishes
Respect Your Veg At long last, vegetables are being recognized as culinary stars. The following dishes have two things in common: They’re veggie-centric, if not strictly vegetarian, and best eaten on the spot.
Noodles
Paitan Broth: Kyoto Ramen Yotekko-Ya If you’re a ramen lover, you know the most important element of the bowl is the broth. At Kyoto Ramen Yotekko-Ya, the paitan broth ($9.95 for paitan chashu ramen) is deeply savory.
Baked Goods
Naan: Cafe Maharani “The dough is just special,” says owner Chris Rahman of Cafe Maharani. The naan ($2.99) is made to order and handled very delicately.
Mean But Worth It
Asian: Green Door Cafe Enter into Green Door Cafe to find a whole ‘nother world. Owner Betty Peng is a one-woman show (don’t start with her, or else) and cooks all of her Singaporean dishes to order.
RIP
Byron’s Drive-in The vacant, former Byron’s Drive-in building still stands near the airport since closing its doors in February. “We’d always go [to Byron’s] late at night,” says Sabrina Thompson, a Tripler Hospital nurse.
Meat
Shinsato Pork: Guava Smoked Scott Shibuya of Guava Smoked made a splash in the farmers’ market scene with his finger-licking good, guava wood-smoked Shinsato Pork. “I really wanted to be my own boss,” he says.
Dairy
Cheese: Surfing Goat Dairy Owners Thomas and Eva Kafsack moved from Germany to Maui and found that they missed receiving fresh goat cheese from their neighbors’ backyards. A few goats from the Big Island (and a huge investment) later, Surfing Goat Dairy was born.
Snacks & Desserts
Decadent Fries: Home Bar and Grill These aren’t ordinary fried potatoes. Chef Neil Nakasone’s Parmesan truffle fries ($8) are an elite class of spuds.
Pop-Ups
Rotations: Taste Some might say Chef Mark “Gooch” Noguchi and partner Amanda Corby, with the help of another power couple, Poni and Brandon Askew of StreetGrindz, fleshed out the pop-up trend with Taste. But: “Actually, Adam is Taste,” Gooch explains, referring to Taste’s general manager, Adam Lock.
Healthy
Healthy Food Truck: Beet Box Cafe The Beet Box Cafe is a sit-down eatery located in Haleiwa Town, but their bright yellow lunch wagon is also worth following. The lunchtruck serves organic, vegetarian burritos ($7-10), a special of the day made with farm-to-table ingredients ($10-12), smoothies ($7.50), kombucha ($5) and snacks such as baked goods and dried fruits ($3).
Seafood
A Cook’s Catch When it comes to fish, freshness really matters, so eating local from our Hawaiian waters is always in the best of taste. Health and sustainability also count.
To-Go
Whole Foods & Down To Earth Down to Earth offers strictly vegetarian delights such as Bombay spinach, eggplant parmesan, stuffed shells, Thai curry and vegetable korma ($9.59/pound). The tofu and eggplant are always sourced from local producers.
‘Aina
Edible Land: Permablitz Fruit trees flourish in Hawaii but sadly, much goes to waste. Permablitz aims to change that.
Fruits
Foraging: Strawberry Guava at Waahila Ridge Strawberry guava is invasive to Hawaii, which is why I don’t feel an ounce of guilt picking the small, red fruits in (free!) handfuls whenever I hike up Waahila Ridge. When they’re a light red color, just pull them off the trees, check for bug-made holes and bite in.
Spices
Nutmeg and Cloves: Frankie’s Nursery Want to spice up your kitchen? Lynn Tsuruda of Frankie’s Nursery says they sell spices grown in Hawaii, by the plant or the fruit.
Specialty Markets
Filipino: Pacific Drive out to Central Oahu and find Pacific Supermarket, a haven for all things Southeast Asian. With the Leeward community’s large Filipino population, access to local favorites at Pacific is a big deal.
Lesser Known
Korean Chew: Taegu Taegu, more properly pronounced as dae-goo, is either a variety of cod, sliced into strips and seasoned, or a seasoned side dish. There is some confusion, as I came to realize while asking my born-and-raised-in-Korea mom, because those side dishes are made with different fish.
Coffee & Tea
Matcha Latte: Peace Cafe Peace Cafe, a second home for vegans, carries a matcha (green tea) latte with a secret. “The first sip is always the most important,” explains an employee.
Healthy
Good For You: Kombucha A SCOBY is a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast integral to making kombucha. Kombucha, a fizzy tea, is full of promises to boost detoxification, immunity and digestion and joint health.
Cooking Classes
Free: Whole Foods Whole Foods Market Kahala offers free cooking classes at CookSpace in Ward Warehouse. “We just did a Health Starts Here cooking class,” says Whole Foods marketing supervisor Natalie Aczon.
Alcohol
Wine Tasting: Kalapawai Cafe Every second Sunday of the month at 3:30 p.m., Kalapawai Cafe holds a free wine tasting. “We [have] five wines.
Aloha ‘ino
Dear Friends, Readers, and Advertisers, I am sorry to say that this will be the last issue of the Weekly that we will print. I am sad about closing but I see no way that we can maintain our revenue stream and our fiscal health.
Phasing
Native Hawaiians and preservationists have pledged to fight a law, signed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie on May 28, that will allow some construction projects to begin before the site has been fully inspected for ancient burials.
A Food Forest
Imagine you’re walking through downtown Honolulu and, rather than bypassing an empty, blighted park, you’re drawn into an urban oasis–a forest of fruit-bearing trees and shrubs. You could spend your lunch break chatting with friends in the shade of an ‘ulu tree–and, if you’re hungry, pick whatever’s in season.
CIVIX
Road Rule On May 20, Gov. Abercrombie signed Act 73, requiring all vehicle passengers to buckle up regardless of age or seating arrangement.
Hell No, GMO
Tourists enjoying the Waikiki waterfront were treated to Hawaiian phrases such as “Aole, aole, aole GMO!” chanted by protesters in the March Against Monsanto on Sat., May 25. Translation: No GMOs, ever.
Done Deals?
The Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) made its proposed plan to redevelop the Kakaako district available to the community during an open house on Thu., May 23. HCDA Executive Director Tony Ching began with a presentation of the new Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) plan before letting residents ask questions.
TheBus
In 2011 the city Department of Transportation Services (DTS) was tasked by then-Mayor Peter Carlisle’s administration to shave $10 million from its budget. Over the course of a year, several bus routes were cut and many more were shortened or reconfigured and the frequency of service decreased.
No one for GMO
You mentioned in your May 29 GMO article (“Big Pharm Fallout”) that GMO bans were placed on taro and coffee in 2008 in Kohala County. However it was an islandwide ban in Hawaii County.
Sovereignty issues
What a great quote: “I understand that it’s frustrating that we can’t get past the issue of homelessness . .
Not pono
I know space is limited and you couldn’t put everything in one small article (“Art with HART,” May 29). Here is the rest of what I wanted to have said.
Git ‘er done
Have five or more contractors “compete” by tackling sections of roadway (“Road Repaving,” May 29). Criteria for competing are expenses, timeliness and a level of quality assurance standards.
A memoir’s reach
Thanks for this article (“The Naked Truth,” May 22), I’m Mykel Hicks, grandson of Sharon Hicks, and I am so proud of my grandma for all she has done for herself, this family and specifically me. She is an amazing grandma who comes with a moving story I hope can help people around the world.
Fix Kakaako
Please remind readers that the HCDA is not interested in providing housing for minimum wage individuals or families, but in providing property developers with profitable opportunities; that our ancient water and sewage lines were not designed to support the needs of thousands of condo and apartment dwellers, but no one is interested in replacing them because no one wants to pay the price (“Civix,” May 22). As a result, Kakaako’s streets are regularly flooded with no sidewalk retreat for pedestrians, wheelchairs, bicyclists, skateboarders, etc., and constantly excavated/repaired to accommodate one project after the other.
